Mega-Constellation Operators Ink Agreements With Airbus, Türkiye, Bangladesh
Space-based connectivity services are set to expand across Asia and airlines.
At the 2025 Satellite Internet Industry Ecology Conference (2025卫星互联网产业生态大会) in Shanghai (上海市), Shanghai Spacesail Technologies Co Ltd (上海垣信卫星科技有限公司) announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with airline manufacturer Airbus on December 4th. Dr Jason Jie Zheng (郑杰), President of the company, represented the constellation, while Tim Sommer, Head of Connected Aircraft Programme, represented Airbus.
That memorandum is set to have the two companies exploring how to best integrate the Qianfan (千帆) connectivity mega-constellation, currently with 108 satellites in orbit, onto Airbus’ fleet of passenger and cargo airliners through a more powerful version of consumer terminals. This signing is a substantial vote of confidence in Qianfan and its related hardware. In their press release on the signing, Shanghai Spacesail Technologies wrote:
“Airbus will introduce the ‘Qianfan Constellation’, leveraging its onboard high-speed connectivity system to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband satellite services from [Shanghai Spacesail Technologies]. This initiative will enhance the in-flight experience for passengers and drive continuous optimization of fleet operational efficiency.” — “Simultaneously, both parties will address the urgent needs of airlines by advancing intelligent and personalized services based on low-Earth orbit broadband communications, injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of civil aviation.”
Airbus’ press release touched on the same areas, with plans for the signing to enable high-speed in-flight browsing and HD video streaming, with the company’s head of the Connected Aircraft Programme, Tim Sommer, noting:
“This [memorandum] with Spacesail reinforces Airbus core strategy of building a robust and diverse ecosystem of satellite partners. By integrating the vast, global capacity of Spacesail’s planned [low Earth orbit] constellation, we are significantly enhancing the flexibility and choice we offer to our airline customers. This commitment ensures they can access the most advanced [in-flight connectivity] services to meet the growing global demand for high-quality connectivity on all routes.”
Airbus’ announcement made specific mention of this agreement being applicable to Chinese airlines and the Chinese aviation industry, citing a demand for reliable and locally-developed connectivity solutions. That indicates, but does not state explicitly, that use of the Qianfan constellation in-flight may be initially limited to China-based airlines flying over and heading into China via international waters, at least until additional agreements are signed. Another indicator is that Airbus has also signed an agreement with Amazon’s connectivity mega-constellation in April.
In another big move for Qianfan, just over a month ago on October 31st1, Shanghai Spacesail Technologies signed a cooperation agreement with Türksat, Türkiye’s state-owned satellite communications monopoly, as company General Manager Ahmet Hamdi Atalay met with Dr. Jason Jie Zheng. Through the agreement, Türksat plans to explore using Qianfan connectivity services for corporate data networks as well as in aviation, energy, mining, and maritime industries, with Atalay sharing:
“This cooperation is an important step in Türksat’s vision of offering innovative communication solutions in the region. With the integration of [geostationary] and [low Earth orbit] systems, we will provide our customers with faster, more flexible, and comprehensive services.”
Türksat’s signing with Shanghai Spacesail Technologies was accompanied by another agreement with the state-owned enterprise China Satellite Communications Co Ltd (中国卫通集团股份有限公司), who operate the ChinaSat fleet of geostationary-based communications satellites.
Between signings with Qianfan, automaker Geely-backed Geespace, with the 64-satellite Geely Future Mobility Constellation, has signed a cooperation agreement with Bangladesh’s Systems & Services Limited on November 27th to bring connectivity services to the South Asian nation. That is planned to include assistance with spectrum coordination, service licenses, and regulatory approvals alongside technology deployment and service integration. Geespace views the cooperation as a starting point for further agreements across South Asia, via proving themselves by supporting the ‘Digital Bangladesh‘ initiative.
Elsewhere around the world, Geespace has inked agreements and memorandums with Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Telecommunications Solutions and Services, Malaysia’s Altel Group Sendirian Berhad, Kazakhstan’s SATLAS, Argentina’s Orbith, and Morocco’s Soremar Group.
Thank you to some Türkiye-based subscribers for pointing this press release out to me.
The Airbus-Qianfan deal is interesting because it highlights how in-flight connectivity is becoming commoditized through LEO constellations. But the regional licensing piece is key here... if Qianfan's use initially stays limited to China-based airlines and Chinese airspace, that's a pretty significant constraint compared to how Starlink operates globally. The infrastructure might be there but regulatory fragmentation still determines what actually gets deployed.